36. Epilogue

Returning to Sweetwater was almost a relief after all the attention we received in Abrocaelum. Our wedding, and Rieka’s naming day, were perfect because they were brief affairs. The reception was a different matter altogether. It seemed to stretch on forever as we accepted gifts for our daughter and well wishes for our union.

Rieka at least got to nap. Poppy ended up sneaking us new parents, and of course Kade, Blake, Jasper and Dakota, some energy boosting potions to help us through the long day.

The children all appeared to enjoy being the center of attention. Their parents, for the most part, could enjoy themselves, safe in the knowledge the children were well looked after. We got to eat the spectacular food, including a stunning eight tier cake, and dance to a mixture of human and elven music.

Our daughter was too new to be passed around to all the dignitaries, courtiers, gentry, and distant relatives who crawled out of wherever they had been hiding. We kept her close to us, only allowing Axel’s brothers to hold her, or Aldrin and James, when the brothers had their hands full with the lively triplets.

Jasper and Dakota had their son and daughter to watch, an arduous task with how friendly Angelica was. My people doted on all the children, though I noticed a few had taken a particular shine to Kade’s sister.

Her parents had finally revealed Angelica would be an alpha when she was ready to make that transition. They wanted her to wait, to see how many other alpha females would be born or choose to change in the interim. As wise parents, they knew the battles which lay ahead. Though some attitudes were changing, we were not out of danger quite yet.

This was something we were painfully aware of as we traded off baby duties throughout the day. I found quiet corners so Axel could nurse and not feel like a display at the zoo. It was lovely to have the moment of peace in what was otherwise a hectic day with our little star.

My only wish for Rieka was for her to grow as fierce as her cousin Elliotte. That little girl knew her power already and exerted it positively. She was a born leader. I saw more than one guard soften their stance after a smile from her. She was already winning hearts.

We partied into the night, stealing kisses in between dances and bites of food. Saying goodnight took so long with many words of thanks to give. Long enough, I feared Mother might ask us to stay the night and carry the party into the morning. Managing the security of so many of us would have been a nightmare.

Instead, we ended the party with both of us, my mother and I, flying in the sky together as those who could shift did. The shifters ran around the castle with elves chasing them playfully while we watched them from above. The cries of joy, the laughter, and smiles were a tonic, healing the hurt of our infertile years.

Children would return to Abrocaelum.

Before we left the castle, there was another surprise for us.

ívarr and Michaella announced their engagement and wish to marry before their own little one was born. ívarr, though he had already asked, again requested my mother’s official blessing.

My face had hurt from how wide my smile had been. I could not have been happier for my friends.

Michaella was in the very early stages of the pregnancy, but expected to carry to full term. She was in perfect health. Her magic, along with ívarr’s, would be strong enough to sustain the pregnancy. Even if she did not, as unfortunate as that would be, she still was able to become pregnant. It was a step forward. A miracle after so long. I firmly believed the goddess was with them and would bless their marriage with a healthy baby.

It was a relief to finally get home and into our bed. I knew we were both beyond exhausted. Rieka slept in her special crib, close to Axel, so he could feed her if needed. I would let him feed her, then see to the rest. He deserved the sleep.

In my life as a soldier, as a prince, I had seen many things, but nothing came close to touching my heart until I met him.

Axel was everything I could have wanted in a partner. He was protective of those he loved, fair, and kind. He held a nurturing soul which had been guarded until he could live as his true self. Axel was beautiful to me, inside and out.

I felt honored to be his mate.

“The pack deserves a party, too,” Kade insisted. “Don’t deny them a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come!”

Ugh, I knew I was going to give in. He had a point. We were walking along the path from our houses towards the mansion, letting Rieka get some fresh air with our guards in tow. I would visit with Dalton, let him have his baby cuddles, and convince Winter to make me something tasty to eat. T was off doing a wing guard shift and I found cooking with Rieka in her baby sling awkward.

She loved to be held and I didn’t have the heart to put her down. My princess would only be small for a short time, so the sling was the perfect compromise.

“Fine!” I sighed.

“Fantastic.” Kade paused, looking sheepish. “Well you’ll be glad to know it’s already started, and I was just the distraction. ‘Kay?” He grinned. “Enjoy the party!” Kade rushed away from me and Rieka to likely join his kids and their nanny.

The sounds of the party reached me first. Then I rounded the corner to the backyard, all decked out with decorations. As usual, there were tables filled with food, a bonfire magically warded from the kids, and shifters everywhere.

Cryabell was shifting between her little owl, a species called the Owl of Athena, and her elf form. She had magically altered her robe to shift with her. Impressive magic which suggested she had talents far beyond the skill of child care. It was likely why Blake hired her over the long list of applicants.

Now that the queen had revealed her form, other elves were rushing to follow suit. The success of her queen’s platonic bond with Rieka had boosted Cryabell to attempt her own platonic bond with Kade and the kids. It worked within a couple of days of our wedding. Now others wanted to try it.

Rieka made a fussing noise. Not hungry, just… there. She caught the scent of her daddy and shared mental pictures of him, informing me of her desires.

This little girl was almost as obsessed with my husband and mate as I was. She shifted and barked, catching his attention.

“There are my loves! Come, I was making a plate for you. There’s a chair here with your name on it.”

My man was too kind for words. He had made each day in the month since Rieka’s birth so much easier with his care and attention. Teárlach frequently took her so I could get rest, easier now that I could express milk and he could bottle feed her.

I greeted him with a kiss, thankful to the goddess for giving me my perfect life. If this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up. I had it all, a daughter I loved beyond measure, a mate who completed me, and the chance at more. More love, laughter, children, new dreams.

“Missed you,” I whispered, still shy of admitting such things, especially when people could hear. Under the emotion was a longing for more of my mate. I arched into his touch. Time alone was something we’d had little of since Rieka was born.

“Hmm,” he nuzzled my neck over the mating bite. “How about we ask Uncle Chase to take care of the night feeds and just enjoy a little time to ourselves? A few orgasms and some solid sleep sound good?”

“Goddess, yes!” I was practically ready to ditch my poor child for the sleep alone! Loved her, she was the light of my life, etc, but sleep… I needed it.

“Just an hour or two and we can go. I have already arranged things with Chase. He will stay with Kade and Blake tonight.”

I had too many emotions to process. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“Of course, dear one. It’s my job as your alpha, is it not?”

Blake made a motion for the crowd to calm down so he could speak. Teagan amplified his voice.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. Axel and Teárlach’s mating and marriage has sealed a bond between the Sweetwater pack and Abrocaelum’s elves. I, for one, can’t wait to see more of the elves shift and find love. Actually, I have had one more couple come to me with good news.”

Blake waved Candace, one of our omegas and a single mother, forward. On her shoulder was an eagle owl. It took flight only to shift into Hakeem. Blake held out a blanket for him to cover himself.

Hakeem took Candace’s hand. The pair shared a grin. “Candace and I would like to announce that we are pregnant.”

Gasps and cheers broke out. I heard many shout their congratulations.

I looked at Teárlach and saw tears welling in his eyes. “We have done it! More are sure to follow now.”

Blake stepped forward again, letting the happy couple gather up Candace’s son, Riff, and sink into the crowd. “Thank you, Hakeem and Candace. We are so happy for you both, and of course Riff, too. You’re going to be such a happy family. Our blessing to you.”

My brother waited for the cheers to calm down. “I have more news. Since the testing restarted, we have successfully helped a few betas transition into omegas.” I heard Dalton’s name being called playfully. “We have a throuple still in their early days, so I won’t call them up.” More hoots, this time for Grady and Trey and their shared alpha.

“Thanks to the goddess, we were given the key to unlocking alphas and already mated pairs.” Blake paused while cheers went up, then continued. “We have successfully trialed the alpha bond potion and now have a former beta pair! Congratulations Jake and Sebastian. We hope you are blessed with little chicks soon!”

“The Luna has truly blessed us. I cannot fathom all this in one place.” Teárlach watched the pack celebrate with joy all over his handsome face.

In the distance, something caught my eye. It was faint at first, until I focused on it. I gasped when I realized what it was.

“I can, look!” I pointed to the trees where I could just pick out three figures, The Luna, Janet, and my mom.

Mom.

Tears filled my eyes. How many more gifts was the goddess going to give us? This was not only for me, but my entire family. They needed to see her.

Chase, Blake, look. I reached for our link, desperate for them to notice her.

I see her,they both said, voices full of wonder, of emotion.

Teárlach gently took Rieka out of the sling and turned her. “Let grandma see you, little wolf.”

My brothers picked up the triplets, and even at this distance, I swear I could see my mother smile with pride. I knew she was happy for us all, though it felt like she saved that bit more for me, because, like Chase, she had always known my impossible dream, and she had seen it become reality.

The figures soon vanished from sight, but the warmth in my heart would take a long time to fade.

“Let’s go home,” T suggested. He helped me get Rieka settled back into her sling. “We can say our goodbyes to your family first.”

“What about your plan?” I asked, confused.

“Plans can wait. Tonight is for family.”

My elf mate, my prince, the alpha of my heart, knew my heart better than I did.

“Let’s go home then.”

The end.

The Sweetwater Pack will return in Dalton’s book, His Temporary Alpha Mate.